How far is Melrose, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Melrose, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 8.2 miles (13.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 6.1 miles (9.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 23m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Melrose and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melrose and Cambridge.
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1
Start on Myrtle Street
56 m · 10 sec · Myrtle Street
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2
Turn right onto West Emerson Street
810 ft · 29 sec · West Emerson Street
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3
Turn right onto Main Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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4
Turn slight right
40 m · 5 sec
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5
Turn slight right onto Florence Street
1889 ft · 58 sec · Florence Street
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6
Turn right onto Pleasant Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Pleasant Street
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7
Turn left onto Fellsway East
2.5 mi · 4 min · Fellsway East
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8
Continue on McGrath Highway
1 km · 1 min · McGrath Highway
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9
Continue on McGrath Highway
960 ft · 19 sec · McGrath Highway
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10
Turn right onto Washington Street
1106 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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11
Turn left onto Prospect Street
1079 ft · 38 sec · Prospect Street
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12
Turn right onto Concord Avenue
673 ft · 35 sec · Concord Avenue
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Concord Avenue
1429 ft · 1 min · Concord Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Beacon Street
550 ft · 26 sec · Beacon Street
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15
Turn left onto Cooney Street
90 m · 13 sec · Cooney Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Line Street
90 m · 19 sec · Line Street
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17
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Melrose and Cambridge.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Fellsway East
Turn left onto Fellsway East
2.49 mi · 00h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers leaving Melrose and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Melrose to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 8.2 miles (13.2 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Medford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.9 miles from Melrose and 4.3 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 6.1 miles (9.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.13 one way or $2.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers around Melrose and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Medford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Salem City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Medford.
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Melrose and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 6.1 mi (9.82 km).
#1 Melrose
City in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States; suburb of Boston, Massachusetts
| Population | 27,790 |
| Coordinates | 42.4584300, -71.0661600 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cambridge
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 119,192 |
| Coordinates | 42.3751000, -71.1056100 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 13 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $1.13 | $2.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $1.28 | $2.55 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $1.30 | $2.60 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Massachusetts · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.